“He’s playing unreal, he’s probably the best goalie in the league right now, so obviously you’ve got to roll with the hot hand and that’s totally understandable.”

Luongo was the only goalie to take part in the Canucks’ optional skate Wednesday, and was the only goalie made available to the media.

His future in Vancouver was once again the forefront of conversation.

His named has been linked to trade rumors for almost a full year, ever since Schneider surpassed him as the starting goalie in last year’s playoff series against the L.A. Kings.

There has recently been a steady increase in trade talk surrounding Luongo, with the NHL’s trade deadline of April fast approaching.

The Canucks, with Ryan Kesler out with a broken bone in his foot and Manny Malhotra put on injured reserve due to safety concerns resulting from a devastating eye injury two years ago, are thin down the middle and have been in the market for an NHL-caliber center.